Hydraulic transmission



Sept. 15, 1936. F, E. sTAATs HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION Filed April 25, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l Q M ,w w A, 55x T W www i 4s 4\ Nvu 10. w,%\ 5T 4- w WIW I im 4 gdb@ W w Sept. 15, 1936. F E STAATS 2,054,207

AULI C TR F. E. sTAATs 2,054,207` l Sept. 15, 1936.

Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES HYDRAULIC 'rRANsMlvssIoN Franklin E. Staats, Peoria, Ill., assigner `to Staats Hydraulic Appliance, Inc., Peoria, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application April 25, 1934, Serial N0. 722,380

4 claims. This invention relates to hydraulic transmissions and has for its object the provision of a compact and eflicient mechanism whereby the power of a driver may be transmitted througha liquid medium to a. driven element toimpart rotation thereto. 'I'he invention provides' novel means for controlling the action of the primary and secondary rotors and means for controlling a circulation of the `transmitting fluid, and also of the several parts whereby damage to the working elements will be guarded against and the durability of the mechanism will be increased. The invention i's illustrated in the accompanying .drawings and will be hereinafter fully described, the novel features being particularly defined in the appended claims. s

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is alongitudinal section through a transmission'mechanism embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section through the primary rotor on the line .2,-2 of Figure 1 with the valve in position to render the transmission neutral.

Figure 3 is a detail plan view of a portion of the primary rotor, the viewpoint being indicated by the line 3- 3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section through theseconclary4 rotor Von the line 4-4 of Figure 1 with the valve in the neutral position to prevent rotation of the secondary rotor. I

Figure 5 is a detail view of a portion of the secondary rotor, as seen from the line 5 5 -in- Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure with the Valve turned 90 degrees from its position in Figure 4 into position to cause rotation of the secondary rotor towards the left in this figure, turning of .the valve 180 degrees from the position shown in this figure serving to cause rotation of the secondary rotor towards the right.

Figure 7 is a detail section on the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detail section taken longitudinally of the driving shaft.

Figure 9 is a detail section.

Figure 10 is a detail elevation of a plunger stem. f

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I indicates a cylindrical casing having its ends closed by end plates vv2 and 3, respectively, and provided at diametrically opposite points with lugs 4 through which securing bolts may be inserted into a rigid support tosecure the casing thereto. 'I'he end plates 2 and 3 are provides a novel construction and arrangement.`

(Cl. Sil-w53) provided on their outer sides with'oisets or rbosses 5 within which bearings 6 are mounted to vjournal the driving shaft 1 and the driven shaft 8. The driving shaftrl is provided with an annular flange 9 which is b'olted'or otherwise rigidly securedY to v the primary rotor I0 and isfalso provided with a central bore o r socketv II to receivea slidable stem I2 of acontrolling member, which will be more fully described later. A diametrical vslot I3 is formed in the shaft 'I and intersects the'socket 1p \`or bore II, as shown clearly in Figure 8, a pin I 4 being inserted through the end of the stem 'I2 and playing in said slot longitudinally of the shaft and having its ends ttedloosely in an annular groove in a ringv or collar vI5 which is slidably fitted upon the shaft, as will be'understood. The ring I5 is provided with studs or 'trunnionswhich may be engaged by a fork or yoke on the lower end of a hand lever or foot'pedal vso that the controlling element may be manipulated by the x20 operator to control lthe action of the transmission. Liquid seals, indicated at I6,'are provided withinthe offsets 5 and around the innerportion ofthe stem I2 within a socket I1 formed in the inner end of the shaft 1. as clearly shown inFigure l, so that leakage will beV avoided." i The primary rotor I0 is bolted at vone side to the flange 9 onl the driving shaft/as has'been stated, and on its opposite side; it is' providedy with a hubA I8 which fits rotatably within -a cen- 3()- tral opening provided therefor in the secondary' rotor, the bore of said hub beingfenlarged at lthe end `nearer the driving shaft, as 'shown at I8 and 20, whereby to accommodate anV extension" 2I of the stem I2, and a head 22 formed onor 3".; rigidly secured upon the stem. The head 22 'is' of greater diameter at its outer end than at its f inner end Aand between the two ends has a beveled portion 23. 'I'he body of the rotor I0 is provided with radial passages or slots, Vas will be understood upon reference to'Figure 2,I withinv which arefslidably fitted stems 24 each of which; .forms a part of or is firmly secured in a-plunger 25 which is slidably mounted within' afcylinderA provided therefor in the rotor, as will be under- 45 stood. The slidable stem 24 has its radially outer end secured in the plunger, as by'a pin 26, and

its inner end formed withl a longitudinal openfended slot or notch 21 in which is slidablyy mounted a trigger 28' which bears upon thehead 50 22 and has its inner end portion properly shaped to conform to the bevel 23 of the head, as shown in Figure 1. This trigger has its edge, presented- I to the driving shaft, reduced, as shown atv 28, to

receive the end of a 'detent 30 slidablyfmounted 55 in the wall of the rotor and yieldably held to the trigger by a spring 3|, as will be understood Y thecircumference of the rotor.

well as the passages 38 and theA chambers 36, is

upon reference to Figure 1. The lower end of the end of the detent is correspondingly beveled lso that, if the head 22 be pushed inwardly, the

trigger will be pushed radially outward and the detent will be moved longitudinally into its socket, the plunger being thereby released. It will be noted, upon reference to Figure 2, that the detent is ofsuch diameter that it will project slightly beyond the sides of the trigger and will engage in notches 21a provided therefor in the opposed walls of the slot 21 in the stern 24 to hold the stemv and plunger in retracted position. When the detent is in released position, it is held in such position by bearing against the edge of the trigger below the reduced portion thereof. The trigger 28 is held to the head 22 by a spring 32 which is secured at one end in the lower end of the cylinder provided for the plunger 25 and has its opposite free end bearing upon the trigger, as clearly shown in Figure 1, the spring extending into the upper portion of the slot or notch 21 in the stem 24. As will be understood upon lreference to Figure 2, an expansion spring 33. is provided around the stem 24 and has its opposite ends bearing upon the bottom wall ofV the cylinder which houses the plunger and its op-v posite end bearing against the plunger, as shown. The plunger is illustrated as provided with a removable cap or end piece 34, but it will be understood that this cap or end piece may be omitted and the plunger made of such length that` in retracted position its outer end will be flush with cap,r however, provides a ready means forcempensating for wear without requiring the provision of an entire new plunger. When the plunger is released it is projected beyondthe circumference of the rotor by theraction of the The primary rotor 0 is disposed within a cham,-

ber 36 defined by. a flange 31 on the side of the secondary rotor and this chamber is so shaped that itseinner surface is eccentric to the rotor,

-as shown in Figure 2, thereby defining cam recesses or chambers above and below the rotor in which the plungers will work. The space 36 communicates through passages 38 in the flange 31 withan annular groove 39 in the inner circumference of the casing This groove 39, as

filled with a non-compressible fluid, preferably oil, so that, if no escape for the fluid be provided,

the projected plungers 25 will be locked to the eccentric flange 31 by the fluid and, consequentthe rotation of the rotor will be communi- 4chamber surrounding the secondary rotorV and will thereby impart rotation to the secondary rotor through the forceof the oil driven against it.` The outflow or circulation of the fluid is controlled by a valve 4G which is mounted in an off- `set4| provided upon the casing and extending longitudinally of the casing; The valve isin the formzof a bar or rod of circular cross section having a, semi-cylindrical recess 42 formed in one sideA vand terminatingl short of the ends 0f the bar The removable or rod, as shown -in Figure 1, this recess communicating at one end with the annular chamber or groove 39 through a short port 43 formed in the offset 4|, as will be understood upon reference to Figures 1 and 2. The valve is provided at one end with a trunnion 44 journaled in a bearing plug or cap 45 provided therefor in the end plate 2 of the casing and sealed by liquid seals 46 of well-known form. A crank 41 is secured upon the outer end of the 'trunnion 44 to be connected with a hand lever or pedal sok that the valve may be adjusted as desired. At its end opposite the trunnion 44, the valve 4|] is provided with a longitudinal groove or recess 48 which extends a relatively short distance along the side of the valve, as shown in Figures 1 and 7. The purpose of this groove will presently appear.

The end plate 3 low point with a port or passage 49 in the outer end of which is secured a pipe 50 leading to a Asupply tank 5| disposed adjacentthe upper pormechanism so that there will always be cooled air-` I free oil withinthe apparatus. The apparatus :is

filled through an inlet port 52 which is provided in the end wall 3 above the centeroffthe same and preferably within the offset bearing element 5,

said port being connected to the bottom of the tank through a pipe. 53, as shown in Figure 1. The port 52 opens directly into an annular space or chamber 54 formed in the end wall'3and accommodating an annular flange 55 on the drivenv shaft 8 which is secured to a side of the secondary rotor. A radial port 56 in the driven shaft leads to a central bore or pdrt 51 in the. shaft and the port 51 opens directly into a central: chamber 58 in the secondary rotor from which ports 59 lead inwardly to the passagesy B0, as shown in Figure 1. The passages 60, in turn, communicate with the passages 6| formed in the primary rotor and discharging through the periphery of the latter into the cam chamber or space 36. It will be Anoted that the passages 6| extend from the inner side near the hub of the primary rotor and then turn to pass radially to the periphery of the rotor and at the periphery they are enlarged to accommodate flap valves 62 which open outwardly and have their opening movement limited by stop pins 63 disposedacross the respective outlets of the ports. These valves are check'valves which will permit the oil to flow into the space or chamber 36 but will prevent the flowing therefrom in a. retrograde direction so that thedesired circulation of the fluid will be effected. There is also a port in the side of the end plate 3 at thetop ofthe same which is connected by a pipe 64 with the tank 5| and this port forms an outlet from a recess 65 within the end plate and having its opposite ends open to the valve 40, as will be understood upon reference to Figure '7. When the valve 40 is in,`

the position shown vin Figures 1, 2 and 4, a 'circulation of the fluid will be. permitted and if the valve be set. as shown in Figures 6 and 7, free circulaof the casing is provided at al tion of the fluid will be cut 01T, but the fluid may tothe tank.

The secondary. rotor. is shown as formed of three members, an end member 66, a central member 61 and theV eccentric ange 31, these parts beingsecured together by bolts68, but this construction is merely a matter of convenience in machining the parts, and it will be understood that the rotor might be a single integralstructure vwithout involving anydeparture from theinvention; The central member 61 has a central opening accommodating'thehubv I8 of the primary rotor and anti-friction bearings 69 are tted about the `Vhub within said opening,y The extension 2| of the stem` I2 projects through the hub I8, as clearly shown in Figure 1, and has it's extremity disposed within the chamber 58 of the secondary rotor. Adjacent` its extremity,.the extension is provided with an annular'ilange 10 and an annular head`1l is tted upon the "endof the stem in abutting relationI .to said flange, as clearly shown. This head isnsulrlciently yloose ruponv the stem to permit relative rotation, but is held against separation from the stemfby a washer 13 Lthroughwhich a cap screw 12 is inserted to b'e secured in the end of the-stem, as sho'wn. i The head 1I"'isfprovidedvbetween its ends with an annular rib` 14 which 'is beveled on both sides, and an expansion spring'15` is housed'withi'n the head and bears at one end against theendwall'of the chamber.:58 and at its opposite end against the head so that the' return' stroke 4of the head will be cushioned. Itshould'fbeunderstood that when the-.transmission'is to be set 'in' operation, thel stem I2'- and its associated parts are pushed'inwardly through the action ofa, hand lever or a foot pedal, and when the pressure upon'the vfoot pedal or the lever is released,;Y a spring connected therewith ywill/return the.v parts to the position shown in'Figure l'of the drawings. The secondary rotor member 66 is formed with radial cylinders or sockets 16 in each of' which is slidably mounted a plunger 11, it being noted that the longitudinal extent of said plunger is greater than the corresponding dimension of the plungers 25. These plungers 11 are adapted to be projected into the space or chamber 18 formed in the wall of the casing by and between the inner circumference of the casing and the rotor, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, said space 18 communicating directlyiwith the port 49 at the lower end of the end plate 3. In the upper portion of the casing, divergent passages 19 lead from the valve '40 to the space or chamber 18, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, communicating with said chamber 18 at opposite sides of the vertical diameter of the secondary rotor, it being noted, upon reference to Figures 4 and 6, that the secondary rotor at the upper end of the vertical diameter is close to the wall of the cham l ber 18 so that the plunger presented to said wall will be retracted. It will also be noted that the annular wall of the chamber 18 is flattened at its upper portion soy as to produce an eccentricr relation of the casing to the secondary rotor. The plungers 11 are provided in their inner edges with pairs of sockets receiving the outer ends of expansion springs 8l which have their inner ends bearing against the end walls of the cylinders or chambers 16, and secured in or formed integral with the plungers, centrally of` the same, are stems 82 corresponding to the stems 24 mounted in the primary rotor. These stems 82 are formed with longitudinal notches or open vended slots 83 receiving triggers84V Whichfhave'their inner endsv I bearing upon the head 1I and beveled at both f corners, as clearly'shown'in Figure 1.y 'The upper f ends of the triggersr 84 arefreducedjasshown at 8 5,

to accommodate the ends 'of detents u86 Vwhich correspond to the detents 30",.previously described, while springs v81 bear upon thebuterfendshof the triggers to hold them yieldablyf'in contactwith the head-1I, -as'shown' and as will beglunderstood.r4

l'I'he `outer end portions of the several cylindersor "chambers V16 are'iiared; asV shown at 88, lto admit iiuidto the inner ends of thefplungers'soas to hold them in 4projected position'. The iiuid will enter the -'ared end o f the cylinder 16at: one side for' the other, accordingly aslthe rotor is moving "forwardly orv in reverse, and from the cylinder, the

fluidwill enter a transverse` passageY 89'fthrough the plunger nearth'e outer end of the. same, vas shown in Figure f6, an opening 98 in theV plunger vproviding communication throughthe inner-end of the iluidaccordingl to the direction'` in which the fluid enters. Stop rings 92 are tted'vinithe ends of the passage 89 so` as lto"prevent"ejection, and loss of the valve.' lWhen the parts'are at rest, they are in the positions shown in AFigures 1`,'j 2 rand 4,'theplungers of the secondayrotor being inwneutral', and it may be noted; `at `t'hispofint,y

.that the positioof the' yalvewaoa-conno1sthe direction of movement'of the rotorand letters orother indices may be provided on the vcasing adjaf cent the crank 41 to facilitate the setting' of 'the valve `according to a well-known practice.` When the appara-tus is to operate, the sternl I 2 lis pushed inwardly and the beveled surface 23 4and the Vbev- 20. thereof between saidtransverse passage y89 and f' 'the inner end of th cylinder. A sutiable 'vaive's'l -is mounted in the' passage 89 and will `'be `shifted toward either endoff'the passage by'thefimp'act eled ribv 1.4 will,` consequently be caused'to` ridey Y under and act'upon the respectiveftr'ig'gers 28 and 84 t0 project' the latter"ladillylitwad, vtrilla beveled formation ofthe ends of the detents3ll'v and'86 pevrmit'tingthe detent's t'oyield and per#l Vmit the outward movement. The detentsfof course, will be released from the stems 24 and82 simultaneously with their release'from the several ltriggers and the plungers will, consequently, be' projected radially outward under the iniiuence oi annular chamber 39 and then through the recess 42 of the valve to the passages 19 and thence into and through the passage 18 to thevport 49, the

pipe 50 and the tank.v The return ow is from theY tank through the pipe 53 and the rpassages 56, Y51, 68 and 6I to the chambers 36. If the valve be set in the position shown in Figure 6, the secondary rotor will be driven forward While turning the valve one-half a revolution from the position of Figure Giwill cause the secondary rotor to move in reverse. If the valve be set asshown in Figure 9, the port 43 and both passages 19 will be blocked and the liquid cannot circulate but will beheld back of the plungers 25 which will be therebyr locked to the flange 31 and the secondary rotor rotor.

When the control rod or slideis pushed in and the plungers projected,fthe inward movement of y l Athe rod is halted whenthe. triggers 8l rest on the rib 14, the triggers 28 then restingon the head 22 andall the detents being held'inlthe inoperative position. The projecting yplungers will ride on the eccentric suriacesfof the casing and will becaused thereby tomovein and` out. 4The primary rotor willV thus eiecta pumping ofthe fiuid to the secondary rotor to build upvfpressure against the plungers."thereink which ywill r gradually overcome the inertia -of v the secondary `rotor. and gently set it in motionlfAs the secondary rotor `acquires momentum, the controlling rod may be pushed in `-to the limit of its movement-whereupon the trig-y gers 8l will drop behind Ytheribltbut the triggers 2l wlllvremainupon the head 2 2, it beingv noted that the head 22 is about twiceas long as the rib vIL 'I'he plungers 25wil1 then remain projected but asthe plungers B4y move .inwaldly, through .engagementwwith'the high-part of the. cam surface, they will be engaged by cooperating d cuetents` and held retracted, fand the keffort of thecam surface and the rotor to compress `the liquid will [serve to maintain thefrnotion and speed of the secondary* rotorwithmi'nimum s trainup'on the prime motor.

, Having thusv described the inventiom-I claim:

' Y Y 1*,.A hydraullc'transmission'including primary and' secondary rotors, plungers mounted in the rotorstoslideradially therein, means for `holding the plungersretracted, and.. a controlling slide arranged to release said'ho'lding; meansupon a v partial movement and uponiu'rther movement to maintain released position ofthe holding means in the primary rotorand` set the holding means in the secondary rtorinoperative position.

2. A hydraulictransmission including-primary and-secondary rotorfsfplungers therein, detents in the rotor to hold ythe plungers retracted; triggers acting vupon the respective Vdetents to release them and hold .them in released position, and Aaslicie acting vuponall .triggers and adapted. upon .partial movement to set the triggers in Vboth Vrotors in detent-released position and upon further move-` ment to set the triggers inthe secondary rotor in datent-engaged position and retain- .the triggers in the primary rotor in detent-released position. 3. A `hydraulic transmission comprising primary and'tsecondary rotors, radially movable ,plungers therein; stemsy extending inwardly from` the rotors,` triggers, mounted in the stems andprelatively slidable, yieldable means pressing the trig-` gers constantly inward, detents in Athe rotors engaging the stems and triggers to hold the plung'ersr retracted, aslide mounted axially in the krotor`s,fa ilxed headon the slide engaging `the inner ends'of the vtriggers in" the primary rotor`v wherebysto set the triggers Itorelease .orl hold'theplungers upon movement of. the slide,and ya head mounted onthe inner end ofthe slide and having a rib engaginguthe triggers inthe secondary rotor. whereby upon inward movement'ot the slide triggers in both rotors will release thel :plungers and upon further movement offtheslide inward the triggers .in the'.secondaryrotorywill drop behind the ribv and tlfietriggersn in the primary rotor will .be re tained in plungerfreleasing position. Y

4. A hydraulic transmission-including a casing provided in one end-with aninlet port andan out-V let port, a. tankontheqcasing ln communication with said ports, avlprimary rotor in the' casing, a secondarygrotorin the casing having an annular :lateral ange surrounding-'the primary rotor in eccentricspaced` relation thereto,` the` casing hav ing an annular channel ,around saidi'lange andthe angehaving openings therethroughlestabl lishingcommunication between said channel and `the space between .theY ange' andr the` primary Vrotor, vthe casing further havingv passages leading fromsaid channel-and around the second rotor to the outlet port, a valve in said passages` controlling thecirculationof huid, the rotorahaving pasa Sages extending axially therein from the @inlet port and opening through lthe peripheryof the primary rotor into the eccentric space around ,the same, and check valves in said passages preventing returnfowfro'm said eccentric space. E. STAATS.A 

